Passengers’ rail firm plea

SOUTH Yorkshire train firms are being urged by the rail watchdog to make the process of claiming compensation for delays simpler and more transparent.

A survey carried out by Passenger Focus asked passengers how they wish to be compensated for delays in an effort to improve current practice.

The research revealed that passengers favour a system that allows them to claim compensation each time they are delayed, regardless of their ticket type, rather than the existing system based on the average performance of a route or train company.

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: “Passengers prefer to be compensated for specific delays, rather than against an obscure figure for average performance – and they want compensation in cash or back to their bank account or card.”